Smoke and flames shoot out from the vacant Sutherland Hotel on Main Street in Winnipeg on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. (UFFW / FACEBOOK)
WINNIPEG — The vacant Sutherland Hotel on Main Street erupted into flames on Wednesday afternoon, sending smoke signals seen across much of the city.
Crews were dispatched to the scene at approximately 1:25 p.m. and arrived to find heavy smoke billowing from the building. Firefighters initiated a defensive attack, battling the flames from outside as the building was deemed unsafe to enter. The severity of the fire led to a second alarm, summoning additional resources to the site.
Nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution, with a Winnipeg Transit bus providing temporary shelter for displaced residents. No injuries have been reported.
Despite firefighters’ efforts, the building is expected to be a total loss. The cause remains under investigation.
WFPS crews will remain on scene throughout the evening. Residents are asked to avoid the area.
TRAFFIC UPDATE: MAIN ST. CLOSURE.
Due to a fire, Main St. remains closed for all traffic from Jarvis to Higgins, northbound and southbound.
Please use alternate routes ahead.#Winnipeg #WPGTraffic #WpgTMC pic.twitter.com/mdl1iu5AyT— Winnipeg TMC (@WinnipegTMC) January 15, 2025
